Automated vehicle parking system for a plurality of remote parking facilities

ABSTRACT

An automated vehicle parking system for a plurality of remote parking facilities that communicates with a vehicle approaching or leaving the remote facility with RF signals, or the like, that identifies the vehicle and sends the vehicle identification number, time of day, and lane number to a first computer at the remote facility for calculating the parking cost of a given vehicle based on rates for said given individual vehicle stored in the first computer of each of the plurality of remote parking facilities and having a central computer coupled to each remote facility for providing a single bill to a user of several remote facilities and advising each remote facility first computer of the total fees due for all users of that remote facility during specified periods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to vehicle parking systems andin particular to a parking system having a central facility coupled toand monitoring a plurality of satellite parking facilities in which eachsatellite parking facility automatically identifies a vehicleapproaching the entrance or exit lanes to the parking facility andgenerates an appropriate set of responses such as opening the gate,illuminating a fee display or other sign information, posting accountinginformation and the like. A user of multiple satellite parkingfacilities receives one statement periodically from the central orclearinghouse facility. Each satellite parking facility may beindependent from the other satellite parking facilities and each may setits own charges and fee schedules. The central facility simply keepstrack of all parking in all the satellite parking facilities and sendsthe user one bill (or debits an account) for the total amount of theparking. A key feature of the central facility or clearinghouse conceptis the use of a prepaid balance as opposed to being billed in arrears.When the prepaid balance falls below a predetermined level, theclearinghouse or central facility will either debit the user's bankaccount via ACH (automated clearinghouse) or electronic funds transfer,charge the user's credit card account, or issue an invoice. If thebalance becomes negative, the system generally will not allow the userto enter the garage.

2. Description of Related Art

There are many different types of semiautomatic parking systems forvehicles such as motor vehicles including monthly pass cards, automaticticket dispensers, and the like. In systems where time accounting isrequired for parking that is subject to charge periods, a card having anelectronic memory is used where each memory location can be individuallyand irreversibly written in order to represent a time unit creditallocated to the holder of the card. Other systems use an electronicmemory and a card reader, a portable terminal carried by a parkingchecker, a card having a magnetic track containing a confidentialidentification number, and a label for sticking to the windshield of avehicle with the label bearing information that is unambiguously relatedto the information stored in the card. Still other systems usecapacitive cards and reader systems. Some systems use an automatic feedetermining system including means to totalize the amount of coinsaccepted by the system. Such system includes means for calculating thefee due from a parking ticket. The customer then inserts coins into acoin receptor and a “vend” is produced only when the total value ofcoins at least equals the calculated fee due. Other systems have anentrance station for dispensing a coded card and initiating opening ofan entrance gate and an exit station for receiving the card, sensing anylapsed time, computing a toll at a predetermined time rate, collectingthe correct toll, and initiating opening of the gate in response to thecollection.

These systems all require the intervention of a human operator or aninteraction between the vehicle occupant and a device such as a ticketdispenser and the like.

In commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,414,624 there is disclosed anautomatic parking system that can identify a vehicle approaching anentrance or exit lane, and then, based on that identity, generate anappropriate set of responses such as opening a gate, illuminating a feedisplay, posting accounting information, preparing periodic statementsto the owner of the vehicle, and the like. However, if the user goes toanother parking facility, either a new membership in that facility willbe required so that the user receives another monthly billing statementor the user will have to pay cash.

While in its broadest state, the aforesaid patent claims cover a centralbilling operation, the improvement disclosed herein specifically coversthe use of multiple parking facilities that feed a centralbilling/credit system thereby permitting the user to use facilities thatmay be independently owned but for which proper debit of the user'saccount will be made as well as proper credit attributed to the specificfacility as determined in advance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art byproviding a parking system having a central facility coupled to andmonitoring a plurality of satellite parking facilities and in which eachsatellite parking facility may be a facility that operates individuallyand independent of the other satellite parking facilities. The centralfacility simply monitors all of the satellite parking facilities andgenerates one monthly parking fee statement for each user (or a companyaccount, if appropriate) of the system even if the user has parked ineach of the satellite parking systems.

In the present system, a vehicle will pull into an entrance lane in anysatellite parking facility until it can go no further because theentrance gate is closed. If the vehicle is equipped with a compatibletag or transponder, a signal will return from the vehicle to the sensor.The sensor then relays that signal to the lane controller. The lanecontroller is a circuit that processes that signal and couples it to ahost computer with specific information regarding the vehicle such asthe identifier ID, the date and time of day, lane number, and the like.

When the host computer receives the identification signal, it comparesit to a complete list of recognized identification numbers contained ina database. If the identification number is found, additionalinformation will then be known about the vehicle including the parkeridentification and the parking product such as monthly parker, debit,charge, and the like that pertain to this particular vehicle. Thatinformation is used to maintain a billing account for that identifiedvehicle. If the parker is authorized to use a product that allows entrysuch as daytime usage, weekend usage, or both, for example, then thesystem will treat the attempted entry as valid. The system will create apartial transaction record that includes the parker identificationnumber, the parking product that is being used, the billing account, andthe time of entry into the system. The system will also instruct thelane controller to open the gate. In addition, on a periodic basis, thesatellite parking facilities may initiate the transfer of data, ifnecessary, to the central facility or clearinghouse by communicatingwith the computer in the central facility in any well-known manner suchas by dialing through a modem. It is also feasible for the computer inthe central facility to communicate with each of the satellite parkingfacilities and the host computer therein will download stored financialand related data as regarding each user of the facility. If the user hasparked in plural facilities, the data from each facility relating tothat user will be used to create a single billing statement. (If thebilling is to a corporate or business account, multiple users may betracked on a single billing statement.)

If the vehicle is not authorized to enter a parking facility because ofno identification, no valid identification, not authorized to use asuitable product, or no credit in the account, and the like, the systemwill not permit entry. However, if the satellite facility also allowstransient parkers, the vehicle operator can be issued a ticket intypical fashion which can be retrieved and the gate opened so that thevehicle can enter the satellite facility. This ticketed entry, however,will not be administered by the present system.

Alternatively, a parker who is not authorized to enter based on thepresent system may elect to pull a parking ticket to bypass the system.

As a vehicle approaches the exit lane, a detector, such as a loopdetector, senses the vehicle's presence and notifies the exit lanecontroller. The exit lane controller activates a sensor to send a radiofrequency signal to the vehicle. If the vehicle is equipped with acompatible tag or transponder, a signal will return from the vehicle tothe sensor. The sensor then relays that signal to the lane controllerprocessor. The lane controller processor again processes the signal andtransmits it to the host computer along with specific information suchas the vehicle identification number, the date and time of day, lanenumber, and the like.

When the host computer receives that information, it compares thevehicle identification number to the database that contains the completelist of recognized identification numbers. If that identification numberis found, the partial transaction record is located and additionalinformation will be known about the vehicle including when it enteredthe parking facility, the billing account, and the product that accountsfor this visit. The system will then calculate the appropriate cost.This cost information and instructions to open the gate are then sent tothe lane controller. The cost information is also posted to an accountsreceivable submodule and is stored for relaying to the computer in thecentral facility when the satellite facility is polled.

In the normal case, the lane controller will display the parking cost onan appropriate display monitor and the gate will open. However, if thevehicle does not have an authorized identification number, the typicalexplanation is that the parker used a ticket on entry. This ticket willnot be processed by the system but instead by a system for transientparkers that uses personnel at the gate to take the ticket, calculate acost, and collect the parking fee.

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide an automatedvehicle parking system in which a plurality of satellite parkingfacilities are coupled to a central facility for providing the user witha single billing statement regardless of the number of satellitefacilities in which parking has occurred, and regardless of whether thesatellite facilities are independently owned or operated.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an automatedvehicle parking system that senses a vehicle, transmits an interrogationsignal to the vehicle and, if the vehicle has a compatible tag ortransponder, receives from the vehicle an identification number for usein system computers for calculating costs for that particular vehicleand further storing those costs to be passed to the computer in thecentral facility when polled.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an automatedparking facility in which the gates are opened and closed according to acommon transponder signal received from the vehicle when interrogatedregardless of the particular one of a number of predetermined satelliteparking facilities that have been used.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide anautomated vehicle parking system in which various parking products suchas by the hour, by the day, monthly parkers, daytime only, weekend only,and the like can be applied to a particular vehicle, and the costsautomatically calculated on a real time basis and stored in anaccounting system from which they can be transferred to a computer in acentral facility that will issue periodic billings to the customerowning the vehicle regardless of the number of satellite systems used bythe vehicle owner, and the central facility will also issue periodicaccountings and credits to each facility operator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects of the invention will be more fully understoodwhen taken in conjunction with the following DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THEPRESENT INVENTION in which like numerals represent like elements and inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a general system overview diagram illustrating the detailedoperation of one of the satellite parking facilities;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the host computer used in asatellite parking facility and its functions;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of a satellite parkingfacility as a vehicle approaches the entrance of the lane; and

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the satelliteparking facility as a vehicle approaches the exit lane.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the general system overviewincluding a central facility computer 10 and nine satellite parkingfacilities 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100. The details of oneof the satellite parking facilities 100 is shown and includes the hostcomputer 112 that accomplishes the accounting, cost calculations, tagvalidation, and the like. The host computer 112 comprises a displayscreen 114, a computer 116, and a keyboard or other entry device 118such as a mouse. The host computer 112 communicates with both theentrance lane controller computer 120 and the exit lane controllercomputer 124 through lines 122 and 126, respectively. Further, whenpolled by the central facility computer 10, all data regarding a userwill be transferred to the central facilities computer 10. The entrancelane controller is coupled to an entrance lane module 128 that includesa sensor 132, a display 134, a detector 136, such as a loop detector,and an entrance gate 138. In like manner, the exit lane controllercommunicates with an exit lane module 130, that, again, includes asensor 140, a display 142, a detector 144, which again may be a loopdetector, and an exit gate 146.

The sensor 132, 140 in both the entrance lane module 128 and the exitlane module 130 may be a sensor of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat No.5,030,807. It is an interrogator that sends a signal such as an RFsignal to a remote transponder or tag, the signal including dataintended to be received and/or stored in the tag. The tag or transpondermodulates the received signal with data temporarily and/or permanentlystored in the tag including data indicating the identity of the objectto which the tag is attached. The sensors 132 and 140 have thecapability of recognizing the identity of the tagged object from thereturned signal. Displays 134 and 142 are typical image displays such asa television set, an LCD display, or LED's, for example. The detectors136 and 144 are a mini-type of detector, such as a loop detector, thatcan sense the approach of a vehicle. Gates 138 and 146 are typicallyelectrically controlled gates that can respond to a signal from the lanecontrollers 120, 124 to open the gates as signalled.

Thus the system uses off-the-shelf automatic vehicle identificationequipment for access and revenue control.

As a vehicle approaches the entrance lane to any satellite parkingfacility, gate 138 is closed. At this point, loop detector 136 sensesthe presence of the vehicle and notifies the entrance lane controllercomputer 120. The lane controller computer 120 activates sensor 132through line 148 and causes sensor 132 to send a radio frequency signalto the vehicle. If the vehicle is equipped with a compatible automaticvehicle identifier tag or transponder, it will recognize the signal atany one of the satellite parking systems and will return an identifyingsignal from the vehicle to the sensor 132. The sensor 132 then relaysthat signal to the lane controller computer 120. The lane controllercomputer 120 processes the signal by removing duplicates and the likeand passes the signal on to the host computer 112 along with specificinformation such as the vehicle identification number, date and time ofday, and the lane number.

When the host computer 112 receives that information, it compares thevehicle identification number to a complete list of recognizedidentification numbers contained in database 215 (shown in FIG. 2). Ifthe identification number is found, then additional information will beknown about the vehicle including the parker identification and theparking product such as monthly, day, debit, charge, and the like. Italso will know the billing account against which the parking activityshould be charged. If an authorized vehicle ID is found, then it isdetermined if that vehicle has an authorized parking product. If it has,the system computer 112 will treat the attempted entry as valid. Thesystem host 112 will create a partial transaction record that includesthe parker identification number, the parking product being used, thebilling account, and the time of day. The system host computer 112 willalso instruct the lane controller 120 to open the gate 138.

If the would-be-parker is properly authorized, the gate 138 will haveopened and the parker can drive through the gate. If the parker is notauthorized, for example, has no identification number, no valididentification number, insufficient credit in account, is not authorizedto use an available or suitable product, and the like, the system willnot permit entry. However, if the parking facility allows transientparkers, the parker can pull a ticket and enter the facility. However,this type of entry will not be administered by the present invention. Ofcourse, a parker who is authorized to enter based on the present systemmay elect to pull a ticket to bypass the system if it is so desired.

The exit lane functions in a manner similar to the entrance lane. As thevehicle approaches the exit lane, the gate 146 is closed. At this point,the detector 144 which, again, may be a loop detector, senses thepresence of the vehicle and signals the exit lane controller computer124 on line 160. The lane controller 124 activates the sensor 140 online 156 and causes it to send a radio frequency signal towards thevehicle. Again, if the vehicle is equipped with a compatible vehicleidentifier tag or transponder, the signal will return from the vehicleto the sensor 140. The sensor 140 then relays that signal to the lanecontroller computer 124 on line 156. The lane controller computer 124processes the signal and, again, passes it on to the host computer 112along with the specific information such as the vehicle identifiernumber, date, time of day, and lane number. When the host computer 112receives the vehicle identification number, it compares it to thedatabase 215 (FIG. 2) that contains a complete list of recognizedidentification numbers. If the identification number is found, a partialtransaction record can be located in the database and additionalinformation will be known about the vehicle including the time itentered, the billing account, the parking product associated with thataccount, and the like. The system 112 will then calculate theappropriate costs. This cost information and instructions to open thegate 146 will be sent to the lane controller 124 on line 126. This costinformation will also be posted to an accounting system 210 (FIG. 2) andwill be available for transfer to the central facility computer 10 atappropriate times.

Again, the lane controller computer 124 will cause the parking cost tobe shown on display on 142 and the gate 146 will open. However, if thevehicle does not have an authorized identification number, it ispresumed that the parker pulled a ticket on entry. This ticket will notbe processed by the system but instead by a system for transient parkersthat uses personnel such as cashiers at the gate to take the ticket,calculate a cost, and collect a parking fee. The host computer 112 willtypically be a computer such as a 486/33 (or higher) running OS/2™ orother operating system, a keyboard, a mouse, and including a VGAmonitor. It will typically be installed in the parking office. The lanecontroller computers will typically be 386/33 computers (or higher) withstorage devices such as hard disk drives but without keyboards,monitors, or floppy drives. These computers may be installed near thelanes.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the details of the host computer 112. Thiscomputer includes an accounting system 210 and data storage 212 thatinclude a well-known Btrieve™ 213 database or other database manager orfile system. It also includes a communications board 216 coupled to thelane controllers at line 234. The host computer 112 may also include areport submodule 224, a customer maintenance submodule 226, and aparking administration submodule 228. The host computer 112 will providethe lane controller computers 120 and 124 with a list of recognized tagor transponder ID numbers for use in an emergency condition only. Inaddition, a status code may supplement each recognized tag ortransponder number so that the lane computers 120 and 124 can take theappropriate actions. There are several possible actions that can takeplace when a vehicle with a tag enters a lane. Some specialized actionsare appropriate only at certain modules within the system. Thedescription of each module will detail such specialized action. Thus thehost computer 112 will provide standard actions such as recognizing thetag, providing the signal for opening the gate or changing and returningthe tag status such as: tag not recognized, do not open gate; tagrecognized, do not open gate, improper status received; tag recognized,do not open gate, deactivated tag; and tag recognized, do not open gate,stolen tag. These actions may also initiate various alarms, visual orotherwise, in the lane and in the parking facility office. A customer oruser with a tag or transponder will not have the opportunity to overridethe tag or transponder other than by physically removing it, turning itoff, or pulling a ticket at the time of entry.

Moreover, the lane computers 120 and 124 will transmit information abouteach attempted entrance or exit to the host computer through the lanecontroller interface 214. This information will include, for exampleonly, a 26 character alphanumeric tag identifier, lane number, date,time of day, and action taken. The host computer 112 will then create atransaction record from the previous information to which it will addthe name of the facility.

In addition, it could also add the name of the tag holder, the billingaccount, and the like and make all such stored data available to thecentral facility computer 10 at appropriate times.

Off-the-shelf tags or transponders provide for at least 26 characters ofinformation on each tag since there will be an all-out attempt to havetag compatibility between regional toll-roads, bridges, tunnels, andmultiple parking facilities. Most of the information will be for vehicleidentification only. The tag will typically not contain any informationthat would associate it with a particular parking facility.

The host computer 112 provides a proper interface with the lanecontrollers through parking administration submodule 228. The programsin such submodule 228 allows the operators to turn off lanes, controlgates, initiate batch posting of invoices, activate displays, and otheradministrative functions. In addition, accounting module 210 includesthe accounts receivable submodule 218, a rates definition submodule 220,and the rate calculation submodule 222. The accounts receivablesubmodule 218 receives and posts the costs involved in each parkingtransaction. This submodule will generate periodic statements, such ason a monthly basis, and track the accounts receivable history.

The rates definition submodule 220 enables parking rates that areentered into the system to be modified as necessary. It allows the mostcomplex rates to be easily input and changed. Moreover, the submodule220 retains a history of all rates that were ever used and the systemallows upcoming rates to be defined for any time in the future.

The rate calculation submodule 222 identifies the proper billing accountand parking product to be identified for each parking visit. Then, atexit, the proper cost is calculated by the rate calculation submodule222.

In addition, a report module 224 is provided. This submodule provides alarge set of standard reports. These reports show parking activity bytime of day, length of stay, cost, and the like. This module also allowsthe easy creation of additional reports by the parking operator.

The customer maintenance submodule 226 receives input information fromthe operator about the customer such as address, billing information,and vehicle information.

All of these submodules and the information contained therein areutilized by an algorithm in the host computer 112 to calculate theparking cost for each tag identified customer. The rate schedules, asdefined in submodule 220, have a name, a grace period, and an orderedlist of conditions and associated rate tables. The conditions defineunder what circumstances a rate table is applied. More than one ratetable may be used in the calculation of the cost of a single garageentrance and exit. The conditions retained in the rates definitionsubmodule 220 include entrance time interval such as, for example 6:00a.m. to 8:00 a.m., and exit time interval which specifies the time ofexit from the garage and the exit must occur in the specified interval,the duration interval that requires a length of stay that is between theminimum and maximum amounts of time set, the days of the week for thewhich the rates tables are valid, usually either Monday through Fridayor Saturday and Sunday. The valid day of the week may be specified as adate rather than a specific day of the week. A calendar of holidays maybe specified as part of the maintenance of the system. Further, an exittime limit and duration limit can also be stored in the rates definitionmodule. A duration limit is a period of time used to limit applicationof the rate table for the condition. The duration limit is not used todetermine if the condition is satisfied. The duration limit is used tolimit the duration for which the rate table is applied. Thus, the firsthalf hour of parking may be at a first rate, the second half hour at asecond rate, the next two hours at a third rate and any additional hoursat a fourth rate.

A rate table is associated with each condition by specifying its name. Adiscount rate may also be associated with the rate table for thiscondition. This allows selected discounts to be easily applied forselected classes of accounts. The algorithm for applying the rate tableis used to search the ordered list of conditions for the first conditionwhich is satisfied and then adding the rate calculated from the ratetable associated with the condition. The entrance time is then updatedusing the maximum duration as specified earlier. If the remainingduration is less than the grace period, the rate calculation is finishedotherwise the limit of conditions is searched again from the beginning.The rate table consists of a list of rates specified such as period,repeat, and rate. The period designates the period for which to applythe rate, for example a one-half hour interval. The repeat allows anumber of periods over which to use the rate, for example, the rate isto be used for the next 3½ hours. Finally the specified rate tableestablishes the rate for each of the periods. To calculate the totalrate, the first rate is applied for the first repeat number of periods.Then the second rate is applied for the second repeat number of periods.As many of the rates are used as needed to calculate the rate for theentire duration. The actual calculation, of course, takes place in therate calculation submodule 222.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the system as avehicle approaches the entrance lane. At block 300, the loop detector136 in the entrance lane is activated and detects the vehicle andtransmits that signal to the entrance lane controller computer 120. Atblock 305 the automatic vehicle identification sensor 132 hastransmitted an RF signal to the vehicle and from the return, or lack ofreturn, of signal from the vehicle, a decision is made as to whether thesensor 132 can identify the vehicle. If not, the parker, at block 310,pulls a ticket to enter the garage and the present invention system isbypassed.

If the sensor 132 can identify the vehicle, then a decision is made atblock 315 by the entrance lane controller computer 120 as to whether thevehicle identification number is authorized by the system. If not, againthe parker must pull a ticket, as indicated by block 310, to enter thegarage and the automatic vehicle identification system is bypassed. Ifyes, the host computer 112 at block 320 seeks the parking product thatis to be used with this particular vehicle. That information is stored,as stated earlier, in the database 215 of the host computer 112. Atblock 325 a decision is made by host computer 112 as to whether apermissible product is found in the database 215. If not, again theparker would have to pull a ticket, as indicated at the block 310, toenter the garage and the system would be bypassed. If a permissibleproduct is found by host computer 112, the gate opens as indicated atblock 330. At block 335, if the parker wants to override the presentsystem, he simply pulls a ticket to enter the garage. If the parker isusing the system, at step 340, the vehicle identification number, date,time, lane number, and product are stored in the host computer 112 wherethe calculations take place as described earlier.

FIG. 4 discloses the system process when a vehicle is operating in theexit lane. At block 400, the exit lane loop detector 144 detects anapproaching vehicle and transmits the detection signal to the exit lanecontroller computer 124. At block 405, the sensor 140 decides whether itcan identify the vehicle. If not, the parker has to pay the cashier asindicated at block 410. If the vehicle is identified, a decision is madeas indicated at block 415 to see if the vehicle ID is authorized by thesystem. If not, again, the parker pays the cashier at block 410. If thevehicle is authorized, then, as indicated at block 420, the hostcomputer 112 accesses the entry information stored in database 215 andcalculates the cost with accounting system 210. Block 425 indicates thatthe cost of the parking visit is displayed and, as indicated, at block430, the gate 146 opens. As indicated, at block 435, the identificationnumber, date, time, lane number, and cost are stored in the hostcomputer database 215.

At block 437, the data stored in the host computer database at step 435may be transferred to the central facilities computer at step 437 uponappropriate communications being established. As indicated by the arrowsentering step 437, all of the satellite systems may be in communicationwith the central facilities computer 10 shown at step 439. At step 441,the central facilities computer 10 may generate periodic consolidatedbilling statements for each customer using one or more of the satelliteparking facilities, as well as statements for each of the independentsatellite facilities.

Thus, there has been disclosed a novel automated parking system whichenables a user to enter and leave one of a plurality of parkingfacilities in a unified system at any specified time with the use of asensor at the appropriate gate and a tag or transponder on the vehiclethat can communicate with the sensor. When a vehicle is detected, thesensor is activated to transmit an interrogation signal, such as an RFsignal, toward the vehicle. If the vehicle does not have a tag, theoperator of the vehicle can bypass the system by pulling a ticket. Ifthe tag is valid, the gate automatically opens, the vehicle enters andthe time of day, the lane number, and vehicle identification number arestored in a host computer. When the vehicle leaves the parking facility,again the vehicle is detected by a loop detector, the sensor isactivated to transmit the interrogation signal, the tag on the vehicleresponds, and the information is transmitted to the host computer whichthen calculates the cost of the parking and stores it in an accountingsystem module such that billing statements can be prepared at a laterdate. The rate schedule can vary for monthly parkers, durationintervals, days of the week, and duration limits. The rates can bedefined however the parking facility desires. Reports are generated asneeded on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis and an accurate record iskept for each user of the parking facility. These reports may betransferred to a central computer facility as appropriate so that thecentral computer may issue a consolidated billing statement for eachuser and each satellite facility, if desired. Clearly, the data storedat the satellite parking system could simply be time of entry and timeof departure to and from the facility as well as the type of parker. Thecentral computer could then store the rates for each parking facilityand could calculate the fee at the central computer facility where theconsolidated report is generated. If a central billing service is used,the user will be billed appropriately and the central facility mayreimburse or credit each remote or satellite facility with itsappropriate fee.

In summary, with the present invention, a fee calculation system isdisclosed that is hands-free (automatic) and time-varied (timedependent) and unilocational (at one particular location). A vehiclereaches a location and is charged a fee based on time-of-day and/orday-of-week. Fee may also vary by particular vehicle (allowing for highoccupancy vehicles, volume discounts, et cetera). The entire transactionrequires no interaction on the part of the driver or any other vehicleoccupant; the process is hands-free and is accomplished through the“automatic” identification of the vehicle. The fee calculation isindependent of the fee collection that can take place either before (inthe case of debit accounts), after (in the case of charge accounts), orat the time of fee calculation. The fee data may be transferred to acentral computer that generates a consolidated billing statement foreach user (individual or corporate) of one or more satellite parkingfacilities and each of the remote or satellite parking facilitiesappropriately credited or advised of its share of fees due fromindividual users.

The foregoing specification describes only the embodiments of theinvention shown and/or described. Other embodiments may be articulatedas well. The terms and expressions used, therefore, serve only todescribe the invention by example and not to limit the invention. It isexpected that others will perceive differences which, while differentfrom the foregoing, do not depart from the scope of the invention hereindescribed and claimed. In particular, any of the specific constructionalelements described may be replaced by any other known element havingequivalent function.

I claim:
 1. An automated vehicle parking system for access and revenuecontrol of a plurality of remote parking facilities, each facilityhaving controlled entrance lanes and controlled exit lanes, the systemincluding: a vehicle detection device with each of the remote parkingfacilities for detecting a vehicle as the vehicle approaches thefacility entrance lane; a lane controller system with each of the remoteparking facilities coupled to the vehicle detection device foridentifying the vehicle and generating a recognition signal; a computerdatabase with each of the remote parking facilities for storing parkinginformation concerning all vehicles that use the automated system; afirst computer associated with each of the remote parking facilities andcoupled to the lane controller and the database for receiving therecognition signal and generating appropriate parking response signalsfrom the database to the lane controller system, said first computercalculating a parking fee for each vehicle; a central facility; and acommunication system including a second computer in said centralfacility coupled to the first computer to enable the second computer tocommunicate with said first computer at each of the remote parkingfacilities and to periodically calculate a single parking fee statementfor a given vehicle whether parked at one or more of the plurality ofremote parking facilities and to advise each remote facility firstcomputer of the total fees due to that remote facility for each vehicleduring specified periods.
 2. An automated vehicle parking system as inclaim 1 wherein the vehicle detection device at each remote parkingfacility includes a magnetic loop detector that detects an approachingvehicle and identifies the lane number of the vehicle.
 3. An automatedvehicle parking system as in claim 1 wherein the lane controller systemat each remote parking facility includes: a sensor for transmitting aninterrogation signal to the approaching vehicle; a tag associated withthe vehicle for receiving the transmitted signal and returning a vehicleidentification signal to the sensor; and a lane controller processorcoupled to the sensor and the vehicle detection device, said lanecontroller processor activating the sensor upon receipt of a signalrepresenting a detected vehicle, receiving the vehicle identificationnumber from the sensor, and passing the valid vehicle identificationnumber, the lane number, and the time of day to the first computer. 4.An automated parking system as in claim 3 wherein the first computerdatabase at each remote parking facility includes data representing:status of each vehicle tag identification number; rate schedule for eachvehicle tag identification; entrance time and date; exit time and date;parking duration interval; maximum and minimum parking durationintervals; parking facility identification; and home parking facilityidentification.
 5. An automated vehicle parking system as in claim 4further comprising an accounting module associated with each of theremote parking facilities and coupled to the first computer anddatabase, the accounting module including: an accounts receivablesubmodule for each of the vehicle tags for storing costs and generatingperiodic billing statements for parking of each identified vehicle; arates definition table submodule for defining parameters for a ratecalculation algorithm including parking rates for each identifiedvehicle; and a rate calculation submodule identifying rate schedules foreach vehicle transponder account and calculating costs with the ratecalculation algorithm based upon appropriate rates and parking times. 6.An automated vehicle parking system as in claim 5 further including: adata report module at each remote parking facility for generatingreports showing parking activity by time of day, length of stay, cost,and the like; a customer maintenance file at each remote parkingfacility including address, billing information, and vehicleinformation; and a parking administration submodule at each remoteparking facility for transmitting appropriate parking response signalsto the lane controller modules for deactivating lanes, displaying cost,printing invoices, and the like.
 7. An automated vehicle parking systemas in claim 1 wherein said second computer credits each remote parkingfacility with its appropriate fees for parker use thereof.
 8. Anautomated vehicle parking system as in claim 1 wherein said secondcomputer advises each remote parking facility of its share of fees duefrom individual users.
 9. An automated vehicle parking system includinga plurality of remote parking facilities each of which has an entranceand an exit, the system including: a vehicle detector at each remoteparking facility for generating a detector signal when a vehicleapproaches the entrance to the facility; a lane controller coupled tothe detector at each remote parking facility for receiving the detectorsignal and generating an identification request signal; a sensor at theentrance of each remote parking facility and coupled to the lanecontroller for transmitting the identification request as an RF signalto the detected vehicle; a transponder in the vehicle for responding tothe transmitted sensor identification request signal by returning anidentification code to the sensor; said lane controller receiving theidentification code from the sensor, generating the time of day, and asignal representing the lane number; a first computer at each remoteparking facility that is coupled to the lane controller for receivingthe vehicle identification code, the time of day, and lane number andgenerating an appropriate response to the lane controller, the lanecontroller automatically admitting the vehicle to the parking facility,or denying the vehicle admittance in accordance with the response fromthe first computer, said first computer calculating a parking fee foreach vehicle using the facility; and a second centralized computercoupled to the first computer at each of the remote parking facilitiesfor communicating with each of the first computers and preparing asingle periodic parking fee statement for each vehicle that uses one ormore of the remote parking facilities.
 10. An automatic vehicle parkingsystem as in claim 9 wherein said second computer credits each remoteparking facility with its appropriate fees for parker use thereof. 11.An automatic vehicle parking system as in claim 9 wherein said secondcomputer advises each remote parking facility of its share of fees duefrom individual users.
 12. A method for access and revenue control of aplurality of remote parking facilities, each having at least onecontrolled entrance lane and at least one controlled exit lane, themethod comprising the steps of: generating a vehicle detection signal ateach of the plurality of remote parking facilities with a detectiondevice when a vehicle approaches the remote parking facility entrance;identifying vehicles authorized to use the remote parking facility witha lane controller system and generating an authorization signal; storingparking information in a first computer database concerning the vehiclesauthorized to the use the remote parking facility; generatingappropriate parking responses to the lane controller system uponreceiving the authorization signal; and communicating with the databaseof the first computer in each of the remote parking facilities with acentral computer and compiling a single parking fee statement with thecentral computer for a user of one or more of the remote parkingfacilities.
 13. A method as in claim 12 further comprising the step ofdetecting an approaching vehicle at each of the remote parkingfacilities and identifying the lane number of the vehicle with amagnetic loop detector.
 14. A method as in claim 13 further comprisingthe steps of: coupling a sensor to the vehicle detection system fortransmitting an interrogation signal to the approaching vehicle;associating a transponder with the vehicle for receiving the transmittedsignal and returning a vehicle identification signal to the sensor; andstoring data representing current vehicle transponder identificationsignals and time of day in a lane controller processor and passing thevehicle identification number, the lane number, and the time of day tothe first computer.
 15. The method as in claim 14 further comprising thestep of using said central computer to advise each remote facilitycomputer of the total fees due the corresponding remote facility for allusers of the respective remote facility during specified periods.
 16. Inan automated vehicle parking system for access and revenue control of aplurality of remote parking facilities, each facility having controlledentrance and exit lanes, a system comprising: a communication systemincluding a central computer at a central facility and coupled to remotecomputers that are associated with each of the remote parking facilitiesto enable the central computer to communicate with the remote computers,wherein the remote computers automatically receive vehicle recognitionsignals from lane controller systems and generate appropriate parkingresponse signals including a parking fee for each vehicle, and whereinthe central computer receives the vehicle recognition and parking feesignals from each remote computer and periodically calculates a singleparking fee statement for each vehicle whether parked at one or more ofthe plurality of remote parking facilities and to advise each remotefacility remote computer of the total fees due to that remote facilityfor each vehicle during specified periods.
 17. The system of claim 16wherein each remote parking facility includes a sensor for transmittingan interrogation signal to the approaching vehicle, a tag associatedwith the vehicle for receiving the transmitted signal and returning avehicle identification number to the sensor, and wherein the centralcomputer receives the vehicle recognition signals from the remotecomputers where the vehicle recognition signals are associated with thevehicle identification number from the sensor, and include a time ofday.
 18. The system of claim 16 wherein the central computer isconfigured to credit each remote parking facility with its appropriatefees for each vehicle's use thereof.
 19. The system of claim 16 whereinthe central computer is configured to advise each remote parkingfacility of its share of fees due from individual users.
 20. Anautomated vehicle system for access and revenue control of a pluralityof remote parking facilities, each parking facility having controlledentrance and exit lanes, one of the plurality of remote parkingfacilities having a system comprising: a lane controller system foridentifying a vehicle at the remote parking facility and generating arecognition signal; a computer database for storing informationconcerning vehicles that use the remote parking facility; a firstcomputer associated with the remote parking facility and coupled to thelane controller and the database for receiving the recognition signaland generating appropriate response signals from the database to thelane controller system, the first computer calculating a parking feerelated signal for each recognized vehicle; and wherein the firstcomputer is coupled to and provides the recognition signals and parkingfee related signals to a central computer, wherein the central computer,in response thereto, periodically calculates a single fee statement fora given vehicle whether at one or more of the plurality of remoteparking facilities.
 21. The system of claim 20 wherein the recognitionsignals are identification signals associated with each recognizedvehicle, wherein the recognition and response signals are stored in adatabase associated with each first computer, and wherein the centralcomputer is configured to advise each remote facility first computer ofthe total parking fees due to that remote parking facility for eachvehicle during specified periods.
 22. The system of claim 20 wherein thecentral computer is configured to credit the remote parking facilitywith its appropriate parking fees for each vehicle's use thereof. 23.The system of claim 20 wherein the central computer is configured toadvise each remote location of its share of parking fees due fromindividual users.
 24. In an automated vehicle parking system for accessand revenue control of a plurality of remote parking facilities, eachfacility having at least one controlled entrance and exit, an apparatuscomprising: a central computer coupled to receive signals from remotecomputers that are associated with each of the remote parkingfacilities, wherein the remote computers automatically receiverecognition signals and generate appropriate parking response signalsincluding a signal related to a parking fee, and wherein the centralcomputer is configured to receive the recognition and parking feesignals from each remote computer and to calculate parking feestatements for each vehicle whether parked at one or more of theplurality of remote parking facilities.
 25. The apparatus of claim 24wherein the each remote parking facility includes a sensor fortransmitting an interrogation signal to the approaching vehicle, a tagassociated with the vehicle for receiving the transmitted signal andreturning a vehicle identification number to the sensor, and wherein thecentral computer receives the vehicle recognition signals from theremote computers where the vehicle recognition signals are associatedwith the vehicle identification number from the sensor, and including atime of day.
 26. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the recognitionsignals are for each vehicle, wherein the parking fees are for eachvehicle, wherein the recognition and parking response signals are storedin a database associated with each remote computer, and wherein thecentral computer is configured to advise each remote facility remotecomputer of the total fees due to that remote facility for each vehicleduring specified periods.
 27. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein thecentral computer is configured to credit each remote parking facilitywith its appropriate fees for vehicle's use thereof.
 28. The apparatusof claim 24 wherein the central computer is configured to advise eachremote parking facility of its share of fees due from individual users.29. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein each remote parking facilityincludes a sensor for transmitting an interrogation signal to theapproaching vehicle, a tag associated with the vehicle for receiving thetransmitted signal and returning a vehicle identification number to thesensor, wherein the recognition and parking response signals are storedin a database associated with each remote computer, and wherein theremote computer database at each remote parking facility furtherincludes parking data representing: status of each vehicle tagidentification number; rate schedule for each vehicle tagidentification; entrance time and date; exit time and date; parkingduration interval; maximum and minimum parking duration intervals;parking facility identification; and home parking facilityidentification, and wherein the central computer is configured toreceive at least some of the parking data.
 30. In an automated vehiclesystem for access and revenue control of a plurality of remotelocations, each location having controlled entrance and exit, a systemcomprising: a lane controller with each of the remote locations foridentifying a vehicle and generating a recognition signal; a computerdatabase with each of the remote locations for storing informationconcerning all vehicles that use the automated system; a remote computerassociated with each of the remote locations and coupled to the lanecontroller and the database for receiving the recognition signal andgenerating appropriate response signals from the database to the lanecontroller, the first computer calculating a fee for each vehicle; andwherein the first computer at each remote location is coupled to andprovides recognition signals to a central computer, wherein the centralcomputer, in response thereto, periodically calculates a single feestatement for a given vehicle whether at one or more of the plurality ofremote locations.
 31. The system of claim 30 wherein the recognitionsignals are identification signals associated with each vehicle, whereinthe fees are parking fees for each identified vehicle, wherein therecognition and response signals are stored in a database associatedwith each remote computer, and wherein the central computer isconfigured to advise each remote facility remote computer of the totalparking fees due to that remote facility for each vehicle duringspecified periods.
 32. The system of claim 30 wherein the centralcomputer is configured to credit each remote location with itsappropriate parking fees for vehicle's use thereof.
 33. The system ofclaim 30 wherein the central computer is configured to advise eachremote location of its share of parking fees due from individual users.34. A method for access and revenue control of a plurality of remoteparking facilities, each having at least one controlled entrance andexit lane, the method comprising: communicating between a remotecomputer in each of the remote parking facilities and a central computerand receiving parking information from the remote computer, wherein theparking information concerns and identifies a parking user authorized touse the remote parking facility; and compiling a single parking feestatement with the central computer for a user of one or more of theremote parking facilities based on the received parking information. 35.The method of claim 34 wherein the received parking information includesa vehicle identification signal for a vehicle tag transponder associatedwith each vehicle and wherein the vehicle transponder is interrogated toreceive the vehicle identification signal, and wherein the methodincludes: storing data representing current vehicle identificationsignals, time of day, day of week and lane number.
 36. The method ofclaim 34, further comprising using the central computer to advise eachremote facility computer of the total fees due the corresponding remotefacility for all users of the respective remote facility duringspecified periods.
 37. In an automated vehicle parking system for accessand revenue control of a plurality of remote parking facilities, eachfacility having at least one controlled entrance and exit, acomputer-readable medium providing instructions, when implemented by acomputer, perform a method comprising: under control of a centralcomputer, receiving parking information from a remote computer in eachof the remote parking facilities, wherein the parking informationconcerns and identifies a vehicle authorized to use the remote parkingfacility; and under control of the central computer, compiling a singleparking fee statement for a user of one or more of the remote parkingfacilities based on the received parking information.
 38. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 37 wherein the received parkinginformation includes a vehicle identification signal for a vehicle tagtransponder associated with each vehicle and wherein the vehicletransponder is interrogated to receive the vehicle identificationsignal.
 39. In an automated vehicle parking system for access andrevenue control of a plurality of remote parking facilities, eachfacility having at least one controlled entrance and exit, acomputer-readable medium storing data for use by a computer comprising:vehicle identification provided to a central computer by a remotecomputer associated with each remote parking facility; parking dataprovided to the central computer by the remote computer associated witheach remote parking facility, wherein the parking data is for the remoteparking facilities and associated with each vehicle identificationnumber, and wherein the central computer can compute single parking feestatements for users of one or more of the remote parking facilitiesbased on the vehicle identifications and the parking data.
 40. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 39 wherein the vehicle identificationsare produced based on a vehicle tag transponder associated with eachvehicle and wherein the vehicle transponder is interrogated to receivethe vehicle identification.
 41. In an automated vehicle parking systemfor access and revenue control of a plurality of remote parkingfacilities, each facility having at least one controlled entrance andexit, a transmitted data signal for use by a computer, comprising:vehicle identifications provided to a central computer by a remotecomputer associated with each remote parking facility; parking dataprovided to the central computer by the remote computer associated witheach remote parking facility, wherein the parking data is for the remoteparking facilities and associated with each vehicle identificationnumber, and wherein the central computer can compute single parking feestatements for users of one or more of the remote parking facilitiesbased on the vehicle identifications and the parking data.
 42. Thetransmitted data signal of claim 41 wherein the vehicle identificationsare produced based on a vehicle tag transponder associated with eachvehicle and wherein the vehicle transponder is interrogated to receivethe vehicle identification.
 43. A method for revenue control of aplurality of remote parking facilities, the method comprising:communicating from a remote computer in each of the remote parkingfacilities to a central computer and receiving parking information fromthe remote computer, wherein the parking information concerns andidentifies a user authorized to access the remote parking facility; andcompiling a single parking fee statement with the central computer for auser of one or more of the remote parking facilities based on thereceived parking information.
 44. The method of claim 43 wherein thereceived parking information includes a vehicle identification signalfor a vehicle tag transponder associated with each vehicle and whereinthe vehicle transponder is interrogated at each of the plurality ofremote parking facilities to receive the vehicle identification signal,and wherein the method further includes: storing data representingcurrent vehicle identification signals, time of day, and day of week.45. The method of claim 43 wherein the plurality of parking facilitiesinclude first and second remote parking facilities owned by respectivefirst and second entities, and wherein the method includes providingseparated statements to the first and second entities.
 46. The method ofclaim 43, further comprising using the central computer to advise eachremote facility computer of the total fees due the corresponding remotefacility for all users of the respective remote facility duringspecified period.